With the holidays over, my family is returning to its normal routines — the adults with relief, the children more peevishly. Overwhelmed by the onslaught of seasonal specialness, my kids have gotten a little too used to treats, indulgences, and suspended responsibilities. At times like this they’re more likely to question why anything beyond the bare minimum of assigned homework is necessary at all. Why do we insist, for instance, that they practice an instrument and take lessons and play in recitals, when they could be putting that time to better use sulking and hanging out with other oppressed preteens?
The short answer is “Because I said so,” but they’re getting old enough to absorb the longer, better answer.
Comments
Without a passion for playing, no amount of 'because I said so' will instill the spark to stick with an instrument. And even though it is more difficult to start in later years, on one is ever too old to pick it up.
Great article. Struggling with my kids on this. You'll thank me later I say. I'm self taught and can't read yet I love playing / noodling.
There is a great Wonder Years episode called "Coda" (Season 2, #7) -- check it out on Netflix or YouTube.